What's the Big Idea?

• Energy is a quantity that can be found, but never created.

Natural Resources: Kinetic Energy

Around the Earth, we find natural sources of kinetic energy. Tides and rivers flow, wind blows, and waves crash. We have found ways to turn some of this kinetic energy into electrical energy that can be sent from the source of motion to the people who need the energy.

Windmills

Windmills have been used for ages to pump water and grind grain. They are now being used in many places to generate electrical energy. In this activity, you will have a chance to make two different kinds of windmills, and determine their energy output.

• One windmill will be used to lift a container. Add weight to the container and see how much you can lift!
• One windmill will be connected to an electrical generator and then to a multimeter. You can measure the voltage and current produced. See if modifications in your design can raise your readings!

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